Roadmaster Instrument Cluster in my 91 Caprice

Wiring is done, cluster is installed on a temp/test basis. Need to replace the oil pressure switch with the sender (the needle is pegged when the car is running).

Going to order blue LEDs to illuminate the gages.

Want to get the CRUISE control light working, but I think I will have to replace the Cruise Control Module with one from a Roadmaster. The RM CCM has an extra circuit that powers the dash light indicator.

This is strictly my "test" unit. I will be building harnesses for sale with standard automotive wire.

I don't have a dash bezel that will fit. I will have to modify the RM bezel I do have, or find one from a 9C1.

I have a video of the test ride, but the camera lens was dirty. Will try again later.

The attached is an animated file. 5 seconds per picture, in an endless loop.

Holy crap awesome man. Now if only I had my cluster back...

I'll be interested in one. I have clusters and 9C1 bezel in hand lookin'good

Sprocket wrote:

I'll be interested in one. I have clusters and 9C1 bezel in hand lookin'good

Clusters... as in more than one? If my 9C1 one never makes it back from NJ, you and I may need to chat

If by clusters you mean more than two - we may need to chat in Daytona.

Stingroo wrote:

If by clusters you mean more than two - we may need to chat in Daytona.

I see what you did there

Oh really?

Sprocket wrote:

I'll be interested in one. I have clusters and 9C1 bezel in hand lookin'good

I'm going to begin building harnesses within the next two weeks. Will get back to those who are interested.

The light showing orange at the edges is leakage around the cluster because the bezel isn't installed. It is probably orange because of the camera settings. I'm still experimenting. Otherwise, the coloring is fairly accurate. Which means different color lights are not going to work. The BLUE color is natural from the faceplace.

The needles are a bit off, but otherwise it looks awesome. Btw, what did you do to get the oil pressure gauge to display properly? The base caprice and wagons don't have a reg oil gauge just an idiot light.

From what I've read, in order to get the oil gauge to read properly you need to use a sensor from a 9C1 or RM.

Man that looks great but I would repaint those needles in bright blaze orange while you have easy
access to them.Overall your gauge background illumination is much brighter than my factory gauges
on my 91 OCC.Congrats on youe effort and I am sure that your harness kit will be very popular.
M H O
Jim Gordon

Oil Pressure: The ignition was turned off, so the needle was simply at rest. It pegs when the engine is running. Stingroo is right, I have to get a sender to replace the switch. The switch is either on or off. On the stock cluster the oil light is either on or off. The sender is ~ $32 at one of the discount auto stores. I'm going to try for a sender at the JY.

The needle color is off in the picture. Low light, camera settings, exposure, yada yada yada. I can take a decent picture with normal lighting conditions, but getting this one was a challenge. I ordered some 4 LED bulbs in blue. The gage face has blue backing, so different colors may not work. And the blue on blue may not work. I'll see. But it does need more light, and I need it during the day. The cluster is really in a shadow.

Thanks for the props. Want to get started on the harnesses and other parts. I'll post.

Yeah. I totally want this. So the TBI Roadmaster cluster will fit in with a 9C1 surround too? That'll widen my search.

Stingroo wrote:

Yeah. I totally want this. So the TBI Roadmaster cluster will fit in with a 9C1 surround too? That'll widen my search.

Yeah, OCC, 9C1 and Roadmasters have the same sized cluster, only difference is the pin outs in the back. If I ever get my 9C1 cluster back I'll have an extra surround I can send ya, but if you find one in the mean time, grab it, 9C1/LTZ dash bezels are hard to find.

If you have an extra surround: SWEEEEEET.

I was thinking about spraying it either black, or SEM TBI Red.

Stingroo wrote:

If you have an extra surround: SWEEEEEET.

I was thinking about spraying it either black, or SEM TBI Red.

Yeah, someone on Badass has a caprice gray 9C1 surround. I just need my f**king cluster back

Where is it?

Stingroo wrote:

Where is it?

New Jersey. Where I was having a harness made.

Cadet57 wrote:

The needles are a bit off, but otherwise it looks awesome. Btw, what did you do to get the oil pressure gauge to display properly? The base caprice and wagons don't have a reg oil gauge just an idiot light.

Which needles are you referring to?

The 4 gages all settle to the left when the igniition has been off a while.

The speedometer and tachometer appear to set low. I was wondering about that. But, today I remembered I had a PDF of a 93 Roadmaster owner's manual. There is a picture for the instrument cluster that shows them setting exactly the same. I have to think that is normal.

Anyone with a comment?

LM91 wrote:

Cadet57 wrote:

The needles are a bit off, but otherwise it looks awesome. Btw, what did you do to get the oil pressure gauge to display properly? The base caprice and wagons don't have a reg oil gauge just an idiot light.

Which needles are you referring to?

The 4 gages all settle to the left when the igniition has been off a while.

The speedometer and tachometer appear to set low. I was wondering about that. But, today I remembered I had a PDF of a 93 Roadmaster owner's manual. There is a picture for the instrument cluster that shows them setting exactly the same. I have to think that is normal.

Anyone with a comment?

You could be right. They just looked like they didnt line up with the numbers on the gauges. But its been so long since I had my '92 RM that I could very well be wrong.

I have 3 clusters for sale if anyone is interested, and can get a fourth.

I'd be interested if I could get my hands on a dang dash surround in the future.

Stingroo wrote:

I'd be interested if I could get my hands on a dang dash surround in the future.

I don't have this. I'm just posting the picture to verify it is what you are looking for. (I'm looking for one too.)

I have the RM bezel I got when I got the RM cluster that is in my Caprice. I'm going to try to modify it this week.

Yep, that be the piece!

9C1 or LTZ bezel.

I got a RM dash this weekend and hope to get it installed in my caprice, I hope to get the harness from you, I NEED IT, lol. 91 caprice to get a 93 RM dash, need harness PLEASE HELP =-)

LM91 wrote:

Wiring is done, cluster is installed on a temp/test basis. Need to replace the oil pressure switch with the sender (the needle is pegged when the car is running).

Going to order blue LEDs to illuminate the gages.

Want to get the CRUISE control light working, but I think I will have to replace the Cruise Control Module with one from a Roadmaster. The RM CCM has an extra circuit that powers the dash light indicator.

This is strictly my "test" unit. I will be building harnesses for sale with standard automotive wire.

I don't have a dash bezel that will fit. I will have to modify the RM bezel I do have, or find one from a 9C1.

I have a video of the test ride, but the camera lens was dirty. Will try again later.

The attached is an animated file. 5 seconds per picture, in an endless loop.

thecustomshop: We have an extra car or too laying around so if you don't get the wring harness I think we might be able to help you.

Stingroo wrote:

I'd be interested if I could get my hands on a dang dash surround in the future.

We have that 93 were stripping will that work?

Nope. I wish though. I need a dash surround from a TBI 9C1 Caprice to make it fit.

If I went the Roadmaster route I'd have to change the entire dashboard and everything.

Hell, that might almost even be easier than finding a freakin' TBI 9C1!

Stingroo wrote:

Nope. I wish though. I need a dash surround from a TBI 9C1 Caprice to make it fit.

If I went the Roadmaster route I'd have to change the entire dashboard and everything.

Hell, that might almost even be easier than finding a freakin' TBI 9C1!

Have you checked your PM's?

I gonna have an extra 91 caprice dash

Bumping this.


So I have my OCC cluster, and I have access to a 9C1 surround, I just need to pick it up.

How exactly does one wire these together? I found an old thread with information, but I can't understand the instructions for the life of me. I hear a bunch of stuff about pin outs, etc. The OCC cluster I have has its plugs on the back, and a LOT of wire sticking from the back.

It's just that nobody seems to know where to go from this point. If so, I haven't found the info.

Anyone?

The speedo and tach have a tab on them which keeps them from falling further than "0". If you take them off, be careful putting them back on, it is easy to push them too far, and they will bind, giving you wierd results. The pointers are on a square shaft, so if you get them lined up right they will be correct. Take a picture before you try removing the pointers, and do not touch the shafts. You can put a fork (on a piece of paper or card stock) under the pointers to pry them off. You should not have to remove them unless they are grossly inaccurate.

I have a caprice instrument panel/bezel that needs a little work, and is missing the woodgrain panel. It is gray. I would consider $30 plus shipping. I also have a couple of 91-93 RM clusters if anyone is interested. The RM wagon and sedan clusters are identical. The Rm clusters have white pointers, and if you remove them and scrape the paint off of the back with a razor blade, you can paint them any color you want. I have a seperate cluster face, for cheap, that you could use as a practice part.

You could use an RMS/W woodgrain, and make it fit the Caprice panel. You would only have to cut the end to fit the downward curve of the right side of the dash. If you are careful, you should be able to get the shape right the first time. You can make it look 98-99% factory with a little thought and effort.

Stingroo wrote:

Bumping this.


How exactly does one wire these together? I found an old thread with information, but I can't understand the instructions for the life of me. I hear a bunch of stuff about pin outs, etc. The OCC cluster I have has its plugs on the back, and a LOT of wire sticking from the back.

Anyone?

Stingroo, how can I help?

Example: The instrument panel lights on the Chevy have one wire for the 12V and one wire for the ground.

The RM has one wire for the 12V, but TWO wires for the ground.

You connect the 12V from the RM panel to the 12V for the Chevy. The two ground wires both have to be connected to a ground point on the Chevy connector.

And you continue with all the wires from the RM panel, connecting them to the Chevy connector.

I can get into a detailed writeup, but it will take a little time. It is almost 6 months since I did mine.

Bill LM91

Waiting is okay. I've got a few other things on my plate right now anyway, but I'm just trying to learn how to do it.

Stingroo wrote:

Waiting is okay. I've got a few other things on my plate right now anyway, but I'm just trying to learn how to do it.

Oh no,..

Hey. I see what you did there.

LM91 wrote:

Stingroo wrote:

Bumping this.


How exactly does one wire these together? I found an old thread with information, but I can't understand the instructions for the life of me. I hear a bunch of stuff about pin outs, etc. The OCC cluster I have has its plugs on the back, and a LOT of wire sticking from the back.


Anyone?

Stingroo, how can I help?

Example: The instrument panel lights on the Chevy have one wire for the 12V and one wire for the ground.

The RM has one wire for the 12V, but TWO wires for the ground.

You connect the 12V from the RM panel to the 12V for the Chevy. The two ground wires both have to be connected to a ground point on the Chevy connector.

And you continue with all the wires from the RM panel, connecting them to the Chevy connector.

I can get into a detailed writeup, but it will take a little time. It is almost 6 months since I did mine.

Bill LM91

Hi Bill,
So, did you release each wire from the Caprice connector and slip into the correct pin slots of the Olds connector? This was my plan, I got the schematics for each car and have marked all my wires. It seems time consuming but I can do it.
All I use is a flattened paper clip, I bet Radio Shack has a correct tool for it though... I ought to check with them....

https://gmlongroof.4umer.com/t5376-91-93-roadmaster-gauge-cluster#52348

Here's a good cluster for those who dare!

-Mike

You can adjust the mileage to your original number fairly easily. I have done it a number of times. If you do not know how LMK.

Fred Kiehl wrote:

You could use an RMS/W woodgrain, and make it fit the Caprice panel. You would only have to cut the end to fit the downward curve of the right side of the dash. If you are careful, you should be able to get the shape right the first time. You can make it look 98-99% factory with a little thought and effort.

Ok so I would like to try this swap in my 93. I may have a cluster from mike - but still unsure on how do get or make the bezel.

Also needing some info on how to go about wiring it up

1phastsswagon wrote:

Fred Kiehl wrote:

You could use an RMS/W woodgrain, and make it fit the Caprice panel. You would only have to cut the end to fit the downward curve of the right side of the dash. If you are careful, you should be able to get the shape right the first time. You can make it look 98-99% factory with a little thought and effort.

Ok so I would like to try this swap in my 93. I may have a cluster from mike - but still unsure on how do get or make the bezel.

Also need so info on wiring it up

I did this mod a couple months ago. It was MUCH easier than I thought it was going to be. Long and short of it, you're going to need a copy of pin out diagrams for each cluster, and about 25 butt connectors. All you do is crimp the wire on the new cluster to the corresponding wire on the car harness.



For the dash bezel you have a few options. Find a 9C1 surround, trim a RM/OCC one to fit. OR swap the dash pad/cluster surround out of the RM/OCC. They fit on the Caprice dash support.

Come to think of it. Someone on Badass of NE was selling a 9C1 cluster/ Surround

http://badass-of-ne.forumotion.com/t4110-for-sale-tbi-9c1-cluster-ltz-bezel

Very cool - looks like I will start the search for a RM / OCC bezel to modify. Thanks for the info

Well, it took me forever, but I am building the harness.

One is for sale, posted here:

https://gmlongroof.4umer.com/t7896-fs-roadmaster-to-caprice-instrument-cluster-harness#82614

I posted this update on the other forum:

http://www.impalassforum.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=281569

Adding this to the thread, more info on this topic

http://www.impalassforum.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=279347

http://www.1finecaprice.com/z28clusterinstal.htm

https://gmlongroof.4umer.com/t7722-sprocket-and-i-are-knee-deep-in-electrical-science

http://www.impalassforum.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=278627

http://lt1swap.com/95impalalt1.htm

Oil sender part number :

94-96 info
"The 9C1 sender is a 0-80 lb sender that will work perfectly with the Z28 80 lb oil gauge. You can see the difference in length but the wiring connection is the same. GM part number is 10201491. NAPA part # OP6676.  I and many, have opted for the 0-60 lb sending unit from a GM truck to make reading the gauge easier.  The part number is GM 12553175. To instal the 0-60 lb gauge you need a 1/4 inch female to 1/8 male pipe thread adapter, which can be bought at most auto parts or hardware stores for about $1"

Ill be doing this swap soon as well. 9c1 cluster from 92 ->  93 caprice wagon.

"The TACH wire does NOT connect into the Caprice wire harness. It has to be run through the firewall and spliced into place. There is a two wire connector between the distributor and coil. One red wire, one white wire. The white wire is the one that has to be spliced into."

The 9c1 TBI and Roadmaster TBI are apparently a direct swap.

The 9C1 TBI has different injectors than the RM TBI, but other than that it is the same.